Future of New Zealand’s Smeltz still unknown

The club future of New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz is still uncertain after he reneged on his move to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng.

The club future of New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz is still uncertain after he reneged on his move to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng.

The All Whites star agreed a deal with Shandong and was set to join the club from Gold Coast United but after spending five days in Jinan, he decided to go back on the contract as he believes his family will not be able to settle in China.

It is understood that Gold Coast believe they can have Smeltz straight back despite Shandong paying a fee to the A-League club because they did not release his International Transfer Certificate but that is not yet clear and his immediate playing future is still clouded.